China’s lunar probe, the Chang’e-6 craft, has successfully taken off from the far side of the moon to commence its journey back to Earth, carrying the first-ever samples collected from the region. The collecting module of the Chang’e-6 craft lifted off at approximately 07:38 on Tuesday (23:38 GMT Monday) to start its return journey, according to state media.
This monumental achievement follows the successful landing of the Chang’e-6 on a colossal crater near the moon’s south pole, a feat that was celebrated by the global science community. China, the sole nation to have touched down on the far side of the moon, first accomplished this in 2019. The Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) lauded the mission’s landing and lift-off as an “unprecedented feat in human lunar exploration,” underscoring the significant strides China is making in the field of space exploration.
The far side of the moon, also known as the “dark” side, presents technical challenges due to its distance and difficult terrain, characterized by extensive craters and few flat surfaces. Space officials have relied on a satellite to establish and maintain communication with the Chang’e-6 craft while on the far side of the moon.
China’s objective is to become the first country to return rock and soil samples from the far side of the moon, which scientists believe may differ significantly from formations on the near side. State media released videos from China’s space agency showing the Chang’e-6 craft displaying the Chinese flag after collecting the valuable samples.
Following the successful sampling, the CNSA announced on Tuesday that the craft had endured high temperatures on the lunar surface and was commencing its return. The ascender module lifted off with samples in a metal vacuum container, entered a pre-set orbit around the moon, and is expected to transfer the container to a re-entry capsule, which will land in the deserts of Inner Mongolia around June 25th. The Chang’e-6 spent two days gathering approximately 2kg (4.4lb) of material using a mechanical arm and drill from the South Pole-Aitken basin, one of the solar system’s largest known craters on the moon’s far side.
The samples, potentially from some of the moon’s oldest rocks, have sparked a wave of anticipation among scientists. This mission presents a unique opportunity to unlock the mysteries of planetary formation. The South Pole region, with its potential for harboring ice, could revolutionize our understanding of the moon and significantly boost the prospects of establishing a human base for scientific research, a prospect that is both thrilling and promising.
China’s space program aims to conduct three more unmanned missions in this decade to explore the moon and seek the possibility of setting up a permanent base. With its broader strategy envisioning a Chinese astronaut walking on the moon by around 2030, China’s ambitious lunar missions stand at the forefront of space exploration.
In parallel with China’s endeavours, the US is also striving to send astronauts back to the moon, with NASA aiming for the launch of its Artemis-3 mission in 2026. The worldwide fascination with exploring and potentially utilizing the moon’s resources is a testament to the significant progress in humanity’s quest to expand its presence in space, a journey that we are all part of.
